All posts tagged Iran

After years of wrangling, a nuclear agreement between Iran and world powers would not dramatically change Iran’s relationship with the United States–but it would make substantial changes: A deal that lifts sanctions, even gradually, would boost Iran’s economy, and Tehran would gain access to its substantial assets currently frozen in foreign banks. Iranian oil exports, almost halved by sanctions, would rise again. Petrochemical and other stalled projects could be completed. Iranian banks and businesses would regain access to the international banking system. Foreign investment, particularly in Iran’s cash-starved energy industry, could flow in again. Read More »

Rarely does an entire region experience the kind of turbulent change that has roiled the Middle East over the past five years. And, on balance, the meltdown has played into Iran’s hands as U.S. influence wanes.

Of the key states that had dominated Arab politics and served as a counterweight to Tehran’s influence, consider: Iraq is semi-dysfunctional; Egypt has been consumed by internal challenges; in Syria, what remains of Bashar al-Assad‘s regime is dependent on Iran and its ally Hezbollah. The rise of Islamic State has challenged Tehran but also, paradoxically, created an opportunity for Iran to expand its influence among Iraqi Shiites and to score points with Washington in jointly opposing the Sunni jihadists. Bad governance or no governance–as in the case of Yemen–has allowed Iran to make inroads in countries with aggrieved Shiite population (Yemen, Bahrain). It is by no means clear whether recent Saudi, Egyptian, and related efforts to turn back Houthi rebels’ influence in Yemen can succeed. Read More »

For all the complaints from the Middle East about the Obama administration’s reticence to involve itself deeply in conflicts such as those in Syria and Yemen, nations in the region act on their own when motivated. Saudi military intervention in Yemen‘s civil war–actually a joint effort by Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, and Bahrain–underscores a broader struggle for power that is accelerating the collapse of states across the Middle East. The key question now is whether regional actions will lead to stability or further turmoil. Read More »

As President Barack Obama gets closer to a nuclear agreement with Iran, his handling of other foreign policy challenges could complicate his effort to convince Congress that a deal with Tehran would be effective.

A key part of the White House sales pitch is the promise that if Iran does not comply with the terms of an agreement, the president would take other action to prevent Tehran from acquiring a nuclear weapon. Read More »

Often the Obama administration has trouble following through on its commitments. Just a few examples of the gap between its words and actions: In 2009, the administration called for a comprehensive freeze on Israeli settlement activity. The Netanyahu government ignored this, and the U.S. did nothing to impose a cost or consequence. Read More »

Pres. Barack Obama issued his annual statement Thursday to mark Nowruz, the Persian new year. This year’s statement comes as Iran and world powers including the U. S. are trying to reach an agreement on Iran’s nuclear program and reflects Mr. Obama’s hopes for such a deal. Read More »

Republicans have controlled Congress for a little more than two months now, but a top White House official says GOP lawmakers so far have failed to put any “points on the board” and that the president is driving the debate in Washington.

As House and Senate Republicans prepare to lay out their budget priorities this week, senior White House adviser Brian Deese offered a blunt assessment of the political landscape, saying that the majority party in Congress has simply been reacting to President Barack Obama’s proposals rather than advancing its own. Read More »

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